Historical Fiction – Jill's Book Blog

Review: Legacy of Honor: The Descendants

Title: Legacy of Honor: The Descendants
Author: Larry A. Freeland
Genre: Historical Fiction, Military
Publisher: Publish Authority
Source: iRead Book Tours
Format: Ebook
Release Date: February 10, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

From award-winning author of Chariots in the Sky, author Larry Freeland pens “Legacy of The Descendants.”

An enthralling military novel and multigenerational war saga, The Descendents immerses readers in the valor and sacrifice of the McCormick family across 20th-century battlefields. This gripping historical fiction, the culminating book of the Legacy of Honor trilogy, follows three American brothers—Alan, Lee, and Scott—whose unwavering commitment to duty and family defines their lives amid the Army and Navy’s most harrowing conflicts.

Alan, the eldest, commands an Infantry Company in the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division during the Vietnam War, leading his men through brutal jungle combat in the A Shau Valley, including the ferocious battle for Hamburger Hill. Lee, a skilled U.S. Navy helicopter pilot, braves perilous missions, from Vietnam’s skies to the First Gulf War’s deserts, embodying courage under fire. Scott, the youngest, serves in the Army along South Korea’s DMZ during the Vietnam era before joining the CIA, undertaking covert operations across the Middle East. Bound by a proud military lineage, the brothers’ patriotism shines, yet they grapple with the moral complexities of war, as Scott “What happens if my sense of right in the moment clashes with others’ judgment after the fact?”

From Vietnam’s jungles to Middle Eastern sands, this powerful saga of brotherhood, honor, and resilience captures the McCormick family’s sacrifices. Freeland’s vivid prose, steeped in military history, contrasts the brothers’ receptions—Alan’s cold homecoming from Vietnam against Lee’s heroic welcome from the Gulf. This novel isn’t just a war story; it’s a testament to survival, family, and an enduring military legacy.

Review:

This is a thrilling saga about a family in the U.S. military. It follows three brothers who all fought in different wars in the 20th century. They each saw tragedy in war as well as their family lives. This is the third book in a trilogy about generations of this family, but it can be read as a stand-alone. I recommend this book if you’re looking for a book that will touch your heart.

Legacy of Honor is a thrilling and emotional military story.

Thank you iRead Book Tours for providing a copy of this book as part of a sponsored campaign.

Content warnings: war, death, death of child, cystic fibrosis, lupus, death of parent, suicide

Other books in the series:

Legacy of Honor: The Patriarch
Legacy of Honor: The Air Warrior

Have you read Legacy of Honor: The Descendants? What did you think of it?

Review: The Queen’s Spade

Title: The Queen’s Spade
Author: Sarah Raughley
Genre: Historical Fiction, Young Adult
Publisher: HarperCollins
Source: BookSparks
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: January 14, 2025
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

In this riveting historical thriller that’s loosely inspired by true life events, The Count of Monte Cristo meets Bridgerton as revenge, romance, and twisted secrets take center stage in Victorian England’s royal court when Sally, a kidnapped African princess and goddaughter to Queen Victoria, plots her way to take down the monarchy that stole her from her homeland.

A young lady can take only so many injuries before humiliation and insult forge a vow of revenge . . .

The year is 1862, and murderous desires are simmering in England. Nineteen-year-old Sarah Bonetta Forbes (Sally), once a princess of the Egbado Clan, desires one thing above all else: revenge against the British Crown and its system of colonial “humanitarianism,” which stole her dignity and transformed her into royal property. From military men to political leaders, she’s vowed to ruin all who’ve had a hand in her afflictions. The top of her list? Her godmother, Britain’s mighty monarch, Queen Victoria herself.

Taking down the Crown means entering into a twisted game of court politics and manipulating the Queen’s inner circle—even if that means aligning with a dangerous yet alluring crime lord in London’s underworld and exploiting the affections of Queen Victoria’s own son, Prince Albert, as a means to an end. But when Queen Victoria begins to suspect Sally’s true intentions, she plays the only card in Victorian society that could possibly cage Sally once again: marriage. Because if there’s one thing Sally desires more than revenge, it’s her freedom. With time running out and her wedding day looming, Sally’s vengeful game of cat and mouse turns deadly as she’s faced with the striking revelation that that the price for vengeance isn’t just paid in blood. It means sacrificing your heart.

Loosely inspired by the true story of Sarah Forbes Bonetta, Queen Victoria’s African goddaughter, The Queen’s Spade is a lush and riveting historical thriller perfect for fans of A Dowry of Blood and Grave Mercy.

Review:

The Queen’s Spade is a fast paced and suspenseful story. Sally, an African Princess who is now Queen Victoria’s goddaughter and ward, takes revenge on all the people who have wronged her. Sally was clever and strong, and she was underestimated by the people in power around her. This story showed a darker side to the monarchy than is usually presented. I know this will be one of my favourite books of the year!

The Queen’s Spade is a powerful story!

Thank you BookSparks for sending me a copy of this book as part of the Winter Reading Challenge 2025!

Content warnings: death of parents (off page), gun violence, drug use, racism, child abuse, drowning, slavery, stabbing

Have you read The Queen’s Spade What did you think of it?

Review: Sunny Gale

Title: Sunny Gale
Author: Jamie Lisa Forbes
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Pronghorn Press
Source: iRead Book Tours
Format: Ebook
Release Date: May 15, 2024
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

It’s 1895 and fourteen year old Hannah Brandt is struggling with the hard life on a new Nebraska homestead. When her imagination is captured by a wild filly she becomes obsessed with horses, which opens the door to her destiny. Just three years later she enters the first Cheyenne Frontier Day rodeo where she wins the relay race, the following year she wins the bronc riding and her fate is sealed. She gives herself a new name, Sunny Gale, and pursues a rodeo career, much to the disgust of her young husband and her very proper mother. Sunny defies convention with every move as the drive to compete takes over her life, leaving everything else behind, including husbands and children. It is a rough life she has chosen, but she craves the glory of the spotlight and refuses to bow to the expectations for a woman in her time.

Award winning author Jamie Lisa Forbes has once again days when rodeo was wide open for them to become stars. It is a
story of the social mores of the times and of a woman determined to defy them no matter how high the personal cost or where that choice might take her.

Review:

1895: Hannah Brandt was struggling with her family’s new life in Nebraska, until she decided to try riding a horse. She entered the world of rodeos and horse competitions, and changed her name to Sunny Gale when she started winning. However, her husband and mother weren’t happy with her new career. To have a successful career as a woman in the early 1900s means she must give up a lot, including her family.

This was a fascinating story. It was inspired by real women who competed in rodeos in the early 1900s, but they disappeared from history after they weren’t allowed to compete anymore. There was a lot of heartbreak in this story. There were numerous animal deaths, and Sunny tragically leaves her family to pursue her dreams. She was also treated horribly by most of the men in her life. Though many things that Sunny experienced are better for women today, things aren’t perfect, and women often have to give up other parts of their lives for success in their career.

Sunny Gale is a fascinating story about a woman who became a trailblazer in a male-dominated industry.

Thank you iRead Book Tours for providing a copy of this book as part of a paid campaign!

Content warnings: death, death of animals, rape, child abuse

Have you read Sunny Gale? What did you think of it?

Review: Lady Macbeth

Title: Lady Macbeth
Author: Ava Reid
Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy
Publisher: Del Rey
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: August 13, 2024
Rating: ★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Ava Reid comes a reimagining of Lady Macbeth, Shakespeare’s most famous villainess, giving her a voice, a past, and a power that transforms the story men have written for her.

The Lady knows the stories: how her eyes induce madness in men.

The Lady knows she will be wed to the Scottish brute, who does not leave his warrior ways behind when he comes to the marriage bed.

The Lady knows his hostile, suspicious court will be a game of strategy, requiring all of her wiles and hidden witchcraft to survive.

But the Lady does not know her husband has occult secrets of his own. She does not know that prophecy girds him like armor. She does not know that her magic is greater and more dangerous, and that it will threaten the order of the world.

She does not know this yet. But she will.

Review:

Roscille is a seventeen-year-old French girl who was sent to Scotland to marry Macbeth, the Thane of Glammis. Her life in Scotland is very different from what she’s used to. She doesn’t get any help from a handmaiden, and she is married to a bloodthirsty man. Roscille wears a veil over her eyes at all times because her eyes can cause madness in men. Roscille must do whatever she must do to survive in her new role as Lady Macbeth.

This was a tragic story. It wasn’t a retelling of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. It follows the true history that inspired the play, while also having fantasy elements. Women were treated badly, but Roscille had to find ways to stand up for herself and survive this brutal world.

Lady Macbeth is an intense tragedy.

Thank you Del Rey for providing a digital copy of this book!

Content warnings: death, death of parent, stabbing, rape

Have you read Lady Macbeth? What did you think of it?

Review: Meet Me at the Starlight

Title: Meet Me at the Starlight
Author: Rachel Hauck
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance
Publisher: Bethany House Publisher
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Format: Ebook
Release Date: July 2, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

Eighties supermodel Harlow Hayes seeks solace in a quaint Florida beach town to hide and heal from a heartbreak that shattered her entire world. To her surprise, she encounters Matt Knight–a Hollywood A-lister with a bad-boy reputation–who has returned to his hometown to help his plucky grandmother, Tuesday, save her century-old skating rink, the Starlight.The Starlight holds a special place in the hearts of the community, once acting as a refuge for Depression-era families and bringing the town together with gatherings and celebrations. Tuesday’s determination and resilience even protected her beloved rink from her husband’s shady business dealings. Yet when the Starlight is threatened with demolition, Tuesday may not be able to stop it. As Matt and Harlow plot with Tuesday to save the Starlight, they find themselves on a journey of surprises, self-discovery, and the kind of healing that leads to love. New York Times bestselling author Rachel Hauck weaves a heartfelt tale of romance, perseverance, and the enduring power of community.

Review:

1932: Tuesday Knight has always loved the Starlight, a roller skating rink near her house. She is struggling to raise her sons on her own, as her husband goes away for weeks at a time to a mysterious job. One day, he gifts Tuesday with the deed to the Starlight, making it her own.

1987: Supermodel Harlow Hayes moves to a small town in north Florida to get her life together. She reunites with her former costar, Matt Knight. Matt is in town to try and help his grandmother save the Starlight from being torn down by the mayor. Harlow and Matt have to overcome a lot from their personal lives that they’ve moved to Florida to escape, while helping Tuesday save the Starlight.

This was a great multi-POV historical fiction story! The story alternated between Tuesday’s life as a young adult and Harlow’s and Matt’s current POVs in 1987. As the story went on, there was a lot of suspense created from the plot points and secrets that were left out of the narrative. By the end of the story, I didn’t want to leave this world and these characters. They felt like real people.

Meet Me at the Starlight is a great historical fiction story!

Thank you Bookinfluencers.com, Bethany House Fiction, and Rachel Huack for providing a copy of this book for a sponsored campaign!

Content warnings: war, death, body shaming

Have you read Meet Me at the Starlight? What did you think of it?

Review: An Inconvenient Wife: A Modern Tudor Mystery

Title: An Inconvenient Wife: A Modern Tudor Mystery
Author: Karen E. Olson
Genre: Contemporary, Thriller, Mystery
Publisher: Pegasus Crime
Source: Once Upon a Book Club Box
Format: Hardcover
Release Date: April 2, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads Synopsis:

This astonishing crime novel—inspired by the Tudor era—takes the reader into the world of Kate Parker, who has just married billionaire Hank Tudor when a headless body is discovered near their summer home . . .

Kate Parker knows what she’s getting into when she marries billionaire businessman Hank Tudor—she’s his sixth wife, after all, and was by his side (as his assistant) when his fifth marriage to actress Caitlyn Howard fell apart.

But honeymoon plans go awry when a headless body is discovered near Hank’s summer home, forcing Kate to contend with two more of his exes: Catherine Alvarez—the first—who lives as a shut-in with her computers, carefully following Tudor Enterprises; and Anna Klein—the fourth—who runs a bed-and-breakfast where she and her wife keep a steady eye on things—particularly Hank’s children, Lizzie and Teddy.

In this clever and suspenseful reimagining of Tudor era betrayals, these three women become entwined in a deadly game of cat and mouse—with each other, Hank, and Hank’s brilliant fixer, Tom Cromwell—as Kate seeks to solve the puzzle of who the murdered woman is, who killed her, and whether her death has any connection to the other headless body from eight years ago.

Review:

Kate Parker married her former boss Hank Tudor, and became his sixth wife. Their honeymoon was cut short when a headless body was found on one of Hank’s properties. Through the investigation, Kate has to deal with two of Hank’s ex-wives: his first wife Catherine who lives as a shut-in and Anna Klein who runs an inn and looks after Hank’s children. These three women become involved in the investigation, questioning their roles in Hank’s life and if he is behind the murder.

This was such an amazing Tudor adaptation. I love reading about Henry VIII and his wives. This story was cleverly adapted into modern time, while also following the true story and creating a suspenseful mystery. The final chapters kept me guessing with all the twists, and the ending gave me goosebumps! It’s one of my favourite book endings!

An Inconvenient Wife is a must read for Tudor fans!

Content warnings: murder, divorce, adultery, agoraphobia

Have you read An Inconvenient Wife? What did you think of it?